Hello everyone! Today, I am interviewing a multi-talented children's author and illustrator.Noelle please, tell us a little about yourself.Hi, my name is Noelle Jesmer and I’m the author and illustrator of a children’s book published online through amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Auntie-Noelle-Jesmer/dp/1482786974. I lost my sister a few years ago, and writing the book was a huge comfort for me. I have traveled all over the world, and I tried to include in my book some of the places I visited. I am passionate about opera, Bach’s Cantatas, Chopin, Dvorak, and music in general.

I am passionate about the movies, foreign in particular, and I'm always inspired by a good film :)) Drawing and illustrating is my favorite pastime, it allows me to reconnect with lots of happy memories that I try to put on paper, with coloring pencils. I just started a new page on Facebook, Noelle’s Drawings and Illustrations. I am happily married and have three wonderful sons. What is the title of your book?Goodbye Auntie Please, tell us a little about your book.Goodbye Auntie is based on true events, and tells the story of a 5-year-old boy who lost his aunt and decided to go around the world looking for her. I lost my sister a few years ago, and writing the book was a huge comfort for me. What inspired you to write this book?Most of my creative work is inspired by my family and loved ones.

Where is your favorite place to work?I love to draw and write where there is a lot of light, and usually it’s my kitchen, where I have a big bay window, and I’m able to look outside.What are some of your favorite stories?Growing up I loved the stories of The Countess of Segur, the French writer of Russian birth, her books: “les malheurs de Sophie”, “les petites filles modeles”, were such a fun read for me. I also loved Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and could relate to Joe March. I read Agatha Christie’s Poirot, and was fascinated by her insight.What is a little known fact about you that you can share?I speak four languages, Arabic, French, English and Spanish and I read a book in each of these languages, once a month. I love the French classics, Flaubert, Maupassant, Pagnol, and one of my favorite American authors is Faulkner. If I were to choose two of my favorite story tellers, Marcel Pagnol would be my first pick, with “Le chateau de ma mere”, and “ la gloire de mon pere”, both telling wonderful stories about his childhood. Then Alphonse Daudet, with his “Lettres de mon Moulin”, beautiful short stories with a good moral ending.Besides writing, what are some of your other hobbies or interests?I love the outdoors, and I do a lot of running and hiking. My husband and I take advantage of the gorgeous nature around us, and try to go on hikes whenever the weather permits it.What are you working on now?I already started working on my next children’s book, taking my young readers, one more time, around the world. They will meet other children their age, and will eventually see how they live. In other words, they’ll see that children have the same dreams and hopes all over the world.

Jodi Desautels

Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother. She is a life-long learner who has two rules to live by: "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love." She loves family, friends, and nature. Passions include caring for people, education, writing, illustrating, and photography.